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Jim is a partner working out of the Pittsburgh and Los Angeles offices, who has concentrated on appellate law for more than 35 years. Jim's expertise spans a wide range of substantive areas including bet-the-company cases involving unfair competition, insurance recovery, coverage and bad faith, financial services, intellectual property, products liability, pharmaceutical and medical devices, false claims, and class actions. He has dealt with many specialized issues in each of these areas, including those involving preemption (federal and state), expert witnesses (federal and state) and consumer fraud (federal and state).

In addition to briefing and arguing appeals, Jim regularly consults with trial lawyers on substantive and procedural issues in ongoing cases to help shape trial strategies and make the best record possible for an eventual appeal. These strategic consultations also include briefing and argument, and the preparation of post-trial motions, writs, or interlocutory appeals as needed.

Jim has been selected for inclusion in The Best Lawyers in America in Appellate Practice (2006 to present), as the Pittsburgh Lawyer of the Year for Appellate Practice (2013, 2017, 2023), and Pennsylvania Lawyer of the Year in Appellate Practice (2019, 2020, 2023).

Qualifications

  • Santa Clara University School of Law, 1978, J.D., summa cum laude, Editor-in-Chief of the Santa Clara Law Review
  • Colorado College, 1974, B.A., History, Named Outstanding Senior majoring in History; Phi Beta Kappa; Pi Gamma Mu

  • Californie
  • Pennsylvanie

  • U.S. Supreme Court
  • U.S. Court of Claims
  • U.S. District Court - Central District of California
  • U.S. District Court - Eastern District of California
  • U.S. District Court - Northern District of California
  • U.S. District Court - District of Minnesota
  • U.S. Court of Appeals - District of Columbia Circuit
  • U.S. Court of Appeals - First Circuit
  • U.S. Court of Appeals - Second Circuit
  • U.S. Court of Appeals - Third Circuit
  • U.S. Court of Appeals - Fourth Circuit
  • U.S. Court of Appeals - Fifth Circuit
  • U.S. Court of Appeals - Sixth Circuit
  • U.S. Court of Appeals - Seventh Circuit
  • U.S. Court of Appeals - Eighth Circuit
  • U.S. Court of Appeals - Ninth Circuit
  • U.S. Court of Appeals - Tenth Circuit
  • U.S. Court of Appeals - Eleventh Circuit
  • U.S. Court of Appeals - Federal Circuit

  • AV Preeminent rating from Martindale-Hubbell
  • American Academy of Appellate Lawyers – Fellow; President (2014)
  • California Academy of Appellate Lawyers – Member; President (2003-2004)
  • American Law Institute – Member
  • American Bar Association – Tort & Insurance Section; Appellate Judges Conference; Appellate Advocacy Committee
  • National Center for State Courts Lawyers Committee
  • Third Circuit Bar Association – President (2009-2010); Board of Governors (2007-2012)

Récompenses et distinctions

  • Selected for inclusion in the Southern California Super Lawyers list for Appellate, 2023
  • Ranked in Chambers USA for California Litigation: Appellate, 2022-2024 and Band 1 for Pennsylvania Litigation: Appellate, 2024
  • Selected through peer review for inclusion in The Best Lawyers in America© for Appellate Practice, 2006-2025; named as "Lawyer of the Year" for Appellate Practice in 2023 and 2025